Greetings, Vino d'Viners!
Come along on our 34th adventure through Central
Europe for a magnificent experience of castles, culture, food, and wine!
Our premier VdV Tour will
take us to Prague and across the Czech Republic, to Vienna, "through" London "to" Amsterdam, . . . and then across the lowlands and dikes of the Dutch
countryside.
We'll experience the unique character of some of the most
beautiful cities of the world, explore the fairytale castles of Moravia,
take a dinner-boat cruise down the Vltava (Moldau) river, wander the
streets of Medieval villages, feast on Medieval specialties cooked over an
open fire and eaten with our fingers, and conclude our adventure with windmills, wooden shoes, Dutch cheese,
and a salty cruise to fishing villages on the North Sea.
During the day we'll be accompanied by a Medieval-Renaissance scholar to learn
about everyday life in Europe during the Gothic and Renaissance
periods. In addition to taking us to massive cathedrals and the finest
restaurants and art galleries of Europe, he'll also "make it
real" with visits to Medieval restaurants where we'll be served by
waiters shouting vulgarities in "harsh old Czech speech" while
throwing the food on the table, where "ladies of easy virtue" dance
on our tables, and where peasants engage in knife throwing and witch
burning.
On a "night off," we might simply settle back for
a traditional Czech dinner of roast pork, dumplings, and Czech beer (the
best in the world) . . . unless we're in Vienna to visit the Hofburg
Imperial Palace and Stephansdom Cathedral, in which case we might stick
with Sachertorte and a rich Viennese coffee . . . or unless we're in Amsterdam,
in which case we might have to settle for one of those spectacular
crepes after our visit with the Rembrandts at the Rikjsmuseum.
We'll finish up our travels in Amsterdam. You'll be able to spend the
day on a walking tour of the historic inner city
and its canals, in the infamous red light district or the cannabis
district, and visit the Anne Frank Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, or
the Heineken Brewery. And then we'll feast on even more wine and more
cheese while on a candlelight cruise on the canals. And then, the next
day, we'll tour the Dutch countryside, ending in the
village of Edam to be knighted as an official "cheese-head."
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As a signature feature of VdV
Tours, we will find ourselves sidetracked by the vineyards,
wineries, and wine cellars of southern Moravia. We'll sit in front
of the fire to "swirl, sniff, and swish" our way through uniquely
Moravian Svatovavrinecke and Frankovka and Veltinske zelene, as well
as through Moravian versions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot gris
and Pinot noir.
Not (yet) a wine connoisseur? No problem.
In advance of our departure, you'll receive our wine course "Wine
Snobbery 101" via e-mail and then we'll begin our on-the-ground adventure
to wine appreciation with an introduction to the 19 wines and eight foods
that are "must tries" while visiting the Czech Republic.
While we're abroad, we'll visit wine-cellars (with gypsy musicians) to sample
the products of traditional wine makers. And then we'll conclude the
Czech part of our adventure with the presentation of "certified wine
snob" certificates and VdV t-shirts to our newest VdV'ers -
sophisticates who know that there's a lot more to wine than "red or
white" and who understand that real wine isn't something you purchase
where you "fill-'er-up."
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The November tour will include music performances for both professionals as well as for those who are completely tone deaf. In addition to solo and chamber works, we'll prepare one work for soloists, small orchestra, and "choir" . . . and anyone who would like to sing along is welcome. Imagine going to Europe on a castle-and-wine tour and also getting to sing up in
the loft of cathedrals and village churches, having your name on a full-size
concert poster, and getting a professionally recorded CD as a souvenir!
Disclaimer: While VdV isn't authorized to issue
"coupons to Heaven," we really do believe that participation in our performances
will make up for your past misdeeds (well, at least for the ones that you commit in Europe). If
you can sing or play an instrument, we'll try to find some way for you to have
your European debut and score a few points for the
afterlife.
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You can pay by Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, debit card, money order, check, or
cash.
And, you can pay in monthly installments with an individually tailored, 0%-interest payment plan.
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Vino d'Vine Adventure Tours is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction. Tom and I will do everything we can to not only meet, but to exceed your expectations.
We're absolutely sure you'll be happy traveling with us; look around our website, and if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me.
